Title: Digital Credentials

Abstract:
With digital services becoming ubiquitous in our day-to-day lives the
need to protect a user's privacy is becoming paramount. Currently
users are forced to divulge personal information to organizations in
order to receive a certain service. In 1985, Chaum discussed an
alternative approach in which users are in complete control of their
personal information and are able to disclose this information in a
non-traceable fashion. A number of modern techniques have been
proposed to solve this problem, namely Anonymous Credentials and
Brands' Credentials. This talk will outline the basic properties of
each of the systems, as well as their advantages and disadvantages
over one another. While providing a brief description of both
credential systems, the cryptographic protocols used by both systems
will be discussed. Finally open research problems in the area will be
presented.